PennDOT: Public comments open for U.S. 22 / Route 191 changes—July 23
PennDOT says public comments for the U.S. 22/Route 191 interchange plan in Bethlehem Township end July 23, 2026—design-stage lane and signal changes.
Nazareth-area drivers who use Route 191 (Nazareth Pike) to connect with U.S. 22 in Bethlehem Township have until July 23, 2026 to comment on PennDOT’s design-stage plans to reconstruct the U.S. 22 / Route 191 interchange.
PennDOT says its project is currently in Step 2 of 4 (Design), with the next step listed as Construction. PennDOT’s public outreach includes:
- In-person open house: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at the Bethlehem Township Municipal Building, 4225 Easton Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18020.
- Virtual plans display: available online starting June 23, 2026.
PennDOT also provides a “Submit a Comment” option on its project page during the June 23–July 23, 2026 public comment period.
Local meeting coverage ahead of the open house also flagged the same broad topics residents are likely to focus on, including ramp/turn improvements, additional through-lane capacity on Route 191, sidewalks, and a reworking of Brodhead Road near the intersection.
Where the project is and who is affected
The interchange is in Bethlehem Township at the intersection of U.S. 22 and Route 191. PennDOT says the project area also includes the intersections of Route 191 and Brodhead Road (east and west) and Route 191 and Highfield Drive.
What PennDOT says the project is fixing
On U.S. 22, PennDOT says the existing westbound acceleration lane and eastbound deceleration lane at Route 191 are substandard in length and will be extended to meet minimum design criteria.
PennDOT also says the interchange structures are constrained: neither structure is wide enough to accommodate the acceleration lane, and widening of the structure over Norfolk Southern Railroad is not possible due to vertical clearance requirements. In PennDOT’s description, the structures will be replaced, the profile of U.S. 22 will be raised to meet vertical clearance requirements, and shoulder widths will increase to meet current criteria.
On Route 191, PennDOT says an additional through lane both northbound and southbound will be provided to eliminate lane drops and inefficient weave conditions that occur between ramp intersections.
What’s proposed in the design-stage plan
PennDOT’s proposed interchange changes include:
- Turn-lane changes: dedicated northbound right turn lane at the U.S. 22 eastbound and westbound ramp terminal intersections, plus dedicated left turn lanes at Route 191 with Highfield Drive, the U.S. 22 eastbound ramps, the U.S. 22 westbound ramps, and Brodhead Road.
- Signal updates: PennDOT says each of these four intersections will be signalized.
- Pedestrian improvements: new sidewalks along the corridor.
- Route 191 / Brodhead Road reconfiguration: a traditional four-way intersection to accommodate high existing and anticipated truck traffic, with the existing at-grade railroad crossing on Brodhead Road west of Route 191 relocated.
- Bridge/structure work: a new structure over Monocacy Creek.
PennDOT’s project page lists a proposed construction start in Fall 2031 and a proposed end in Fall 2034.
How to participate before July 23
PennDOT says your questions and concerns are being accepted through July 23, 2026 during the formal public comment period. Use the “Submit a Comment” link/button on the PennDOT project page to send feedback.
What to watch next
PennDOT’s project status stays in design (Step 2 of 4) while the public comment period runs through July 23. The next step on PennDOT’s page is Construction.
Sources
- PennDOT District 5 — U.S. 22 / Route 191 Interchange Reconstruction Project (official project page)
- Bethlehem Township (Northampton County) — open-house notice hub
- Lehigh Valley News Briefs — local meeting/open-house announcement (reader Q&A themes)
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